Preparing for Your Arrival
Housing and Dining
Housing options are limited. Students should allow 5-6 months prior to their arrival to USF to research and select an on- or off- campus housing option that they believe will be safe, convenient, and comfortable to them.
Housing
On-Campus Options
Living on campus allows students to spend more time with their peers and to be closer to the many academic, sports, cultural, and social events and activities on campus. USF provides a safe community designed to help students excel both in-and-out of the classroom.
Students are urged to submit their Housing application as soon as possible, as the rooms on-campus tend to fill up very quickly.
Please visit the USF Housing and Residential website for more information about the housing application and on-campus housing costs.
Students may contact the USF Housing and Residential Education team directly at housing@usf.edu with questions about on-campus housing.
For Tampa Campus Students:
The Tampa campus has four types of housing, two convenience stores, three dining halls, a variety of fast-food restaurants, several recreation facilities, and a mail/package delivery service. The campus also has a massive library, computer labs, a student center, as well as a police station to provide security.
For St. Petersburg Campus Students:
For more information about on-campus options at the St. Petersburg campus, please visit their .
For Sarasota-Manatee Campus Students:
The 哔咔漫画 Sarasota-Manatee campus does not have any current on-campus or affiliated housing options, but encourages students to .
Off-Campus Options
Students should consider the following issues when selecting off-campus housing:
- Read and Understand the Lease: Students should always read a lease and agree to its terms before signing this legal contract. Students are encouraged to ask someone they trust about the terms of their lease agreement to ensure that they understand it.
- Inspecting Rental Property: Students may also invite a trusted person to accompany them when inspecting the rental property. It is important to make note of any damage to the property before signing a lease.
- Do NOT sign multiple leases. This includes signing both off-campus and on-campus housing leases. USF Housing will not allow students to breech a signed lease agreement if they sign an off-campus lease. Off-campus housing facilities will also not allow students to breech these legal contracts if they sign multiple leases.
Finding Off-Campus Housing
The website lists available rental units and is a service provided by 哔咔漫画 Student Government, in contractual agreement with Off-Campus Partners, Inc. USF cannot recommend or endorse any of the listed rental properties. This is simply a list of options that students may consider when choosing off-campus housing.
Five Important Off-Campus Housing Tips
-
- Some apartment complexes require international students to provide a large deposit
or to have a financial guarantor in the United States. This may be an additional off-campus
housing expense for students. Students should ask about the deposit amounts before
signing a lease.
- Students should consider the distance from their off-campus housing to the university.
Students may have additional transportation expenses the further away they are located
from the campus. Also, students should consider the university鈥檚 safety training resources
if they plan to walk or bicycle to campus.
- The Bull Runner is the USF bus system that provides free transport to all students
with a valid USF ID Card. Students can find more information about the Bull Runner here. When choosing off-campus housing, students should consider the distance from their
residence to a Bull Runner bus stop.
- Consider online reviews of property when choosing off-campus housing. These reviews
are written by past and current tenants and can give an indication of the property鈥檚
living conditions.
- Students may use Google Maps and look at the 鈥淪treet View鈥� of property they are considering to rent. The Street View may give students a better indication of how the property looks in-person, rather than relying on edited gallery photos that may be included on apartment listing websites.
- Some apartment complexes require international students to provide a large deposit
or to have a financial guarantor in the United States. This may be an additional off-campus
housing expense for students. Students should ask about the deposit amounts before
signing a lease.
Click below to view our off-campus housing video:
DIning
From traditional dining halls to cafes and food courts, multiple Starbucks locations, and more, there are many different dining options located on campus. USF campus dining options cater for all dietary needs including vegan and vegetarian, gluten-free, Halal, and more. Meal plans are required for Freshman students with an on-campus housing reservation, but students who live off-campus may also sign-up for a meal plan if they prefer.
Learn about on-campus dining locations, healthy options, and meal plans for each campus below: